Oct. 29, 1929, the New York Stock Exchange crashed, panic selling ensued and America plunged into the Great Depression. President Herbert Hoover, in a nationwide drive to aid the private relief agencies, stated: “Time and time again the American people have demonstrated a spiritual quality … of generosity. … This is the occasion when we must arouse that idealism. … This civilization … which we call American life, is builded and can alone survive upon the translation into individual action of that fundamental philosophy announced by the Savior 19 centuries ago. … Modern society cannot survive with the defense of Cain, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’”